St Matthew s RC High School Teacher of Mathematics with TLR Application Pack - 1 -
Appointment of Teacher of Mathematics The Governors are keen to invite applications from successful and enthusiastic qualified Mathematics teachers who are seeking to develop their teaching careers in a culture of high expectations and high standards. The successful candidate will join a committed team of specialists, securing the highest quality teaching. Applicants You should be an excellent classroom practitioner with a record of student achievement and a passion for learning and teaching. You must be able to establish excellent relationships with students and colleagues, and work well within a team. Applicants should be fully supportive of St Matthew s Catholic foundation. The Mathematics Department is committed to continuing to raise academic standards for all its students and a successful candidate would have plenty of enthusiasm, drive and a good sense of humour, to achieve the targets we aspire to within this area of the school curriculum. The Head Teacher and the Governing Body of St Matthew s RC School are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate is required for all posts prior to commencement. The Mathematics Department This post provides an opportunity for the successful candidate to contribute to the development of an improving department. The department has experienced rapidly rising standards of achievement at both Key Stages during the last two academic years. The Mathematics department is on track to achieve record results in June and receive the full support of the leadership team including enhanced staffing and resources. Pupils in Key Stage 3 are split into teaching groups (colour groups) arranged in three ability bands. For Mathematics pupils are further set within the some of the ability bands. The department follows a combination of Edexcel and AQA specifications depending upon the needs of the pupils. All classrooms at St Matthew s are equipped with interactive white boards and data projectors. There are nine computer suites two of which are a bookable resource. All curriculum areas have a dedicated set of laptops and there is a small resource area for use of the Mathematics department. The sports facilities have been enhanced by an addition gymnasium provided by New Opportunities Funding, and renewed outdoor facilities as part of the BSF programme. - 2 -
Personnel The current Mathematics personnel are: Mr Colin Nelson (Director of Mathematics) Mr Peter Aulton (Assistant Headteacher) Miss Ehi Ero (Second in Mathematics) Mr Craig Jones Mr Andrew Jones Miss Sophie Illingworth Mr Steven Ladley Mr Steven Milosevic Miss Michaela Williamson St Matthew s as a Catholic School St Matthew s RC High School is dedicated to promoting a distinctive Catholic ethos by upholding the teachings of the Catholic Church. This means that everything we aim to achieve will be based on the teachings and practice of the Catholic Church. Our motto is "Quaerite primum regnum dei" - "Seek first the Kingdom of God" - and our aim is to achieve this motto in our school life. We will work to build God's Kingdom and be happy together because we believe that Jesus died and rose again for us and that He is always present in our school and in our world. We are committed to developing the full potential of every individual, regardless of culture, race, religion, disability, or special need by creating a safe, orderly environment where all members of the community work diligently in a spirit of co-operation and treat each other with courtesy and respect at all times. Our primary role is to educate children and we uphold the principle outlined in the Bishop s Conference of England and Wales (2000) that: Education is holy the process of teaching and learning is a holy act Our ethos is very important to all members of our Community. We have religious assemblies, acts of worship in classrooms, Masses on feast days and other services throughout the year. All students follow RE at KS3 and KS4 all students take GCSE RE. Furthermore, we believe that the school is a place where we live out our Christianity on a day-to-day basis, making sure that each member of our Community is respected and appreciated. - 3 -
The school is a member of the Manchester Catholic Education Partnership (MANCEP) and so has strong curriculum and pastoral links with the other Manchester Catholic High schools and Sixth form colleges. There is a joint training day each year. We also have very strong links with other North Manchester schools through the North Manchester Collegiate. The staff and Governors of the school are firmly committed to improving standards which have risen over the last few years so over 90% of our young people attain 5A*-C at GCSE, with 57% achieving 5A*-C including English and Mathematics in 2013. We are confident that we will achieve this year s target of 65% 5A*-C including English and Mathematics when the results are published in August. The school currently has 28% of pupils entitled to free school meals. We have a strong programme of training and development for all staff which is based both school development needs as well as personal ones. The staff Our staff, both teaching and non-teaching, are extremely professional, hardworking and very supportive of each other. There is a good balance of staff who have worked for many years at the school and others who have joined us more recently. Staff are actively encouraged to maintain a healthy work / life balance. A notable feature of the school is the number of former students who are now members of staff. OFSTED analysis We were inspected in September 2012. Key headlines were: Leadership and management are outstanding and the foresight of the senior team has empowered staff at all levels of responsibility to lead significant improvements in their specific areas. Students are proud of their school, behave well and feel safe. They have a high regard for the adults who work with them. In their words, The staff always go the extra mile to help us. In the words of the staff, The work of the senior leadership team continues to ensure that teachers are growing in confidence, take responsibility for their own performance and for performance in their subject areas. We are a team here. Indeed, the exceptional senior team leads by example and has the welfare of all, students and staff, at its heart. Relationships in the classroom, between students and between students and the adults who work with them, are strong: students speak highly of their teachers and believe they have their best interests at heart. Secure subject-knowledge, perceptive use of ICT to promote learning and effective classroom management are just three of the key strengths of teaching across the school. - 4 -
Students behaviour overall is good and is underpinned by warm relationships and a positive attitude to learning. Students are polite and respectful to each other and to the adults who work with them. Salford Diocese Inspection (Section 48) March 2011 St Matthew s is a good Catholic school with some outstanding features. Pupils very effectively understand and articulate the Catholic mission and ethos of the school and recognise the centrality of its prayer life. Pupils respond well to the wide range of opportunities to be involved in charitable activity and other forms of Catholic Action. The school makes an outstanding contribution to community cohesion. Pupils recognise that they benefit from the quality of personal relationships which exist and can identify ways in which the school has is concerned to see them develop individually on their faith journeys. The curriculum is also enhanced by pupils experience of school liturgy, its prayer life and through their participation in extra curricular activities such as retreats. Your application You are asked to complete the enclosed teacher application form which you can also download from the CES website http://www.catholiceducation.org.uk/schools/applicationforms You should include the names of referees as stated on the application form, one of whom should be your current Headteacher. The completed application should be returned to us either by post or email (contact@smrchs.com) by the closing date of Monday 12 th May 2014 Interviews to take place during w/c Monday 12th May 2014-5 -
Job Description Teacher of Mathematics The person appointed will: Support the school s aims and objectives, take a full part in the liturgy and prayer life of the school and play a major role in the development of the school s Catholic ethos and fulfilment of the School Mission Statement. Foster a positive climate, which supports positive attitude by pupils and teaching staff towards the subject. Facilitate and encourage a learning experience which provides pupils with the opportunity to achieve their individual potential. Contribute to the department s development plan and its implementation. Contribute to the development of opportunities within Mathematics for the student voice to inform improvement plans and teaching and learning. Ensuring praise and celebration of achievement are at the heart of learning Support the development of learning initiatives within the curriculum area including Behaviour for Learning, ICT, Literacy, Numeracy, Functional Skills and Work Related Learning. Oversee pupil attainment and progress and to support high quality teaching and learning across the school in Mathematics with specific reference to key groups of learners (e.g. G&T, Girls, Boys, PP) Gather, analyse and evaluate evidence of children s progress across the school to inform provision and practice in Mathematics in relation to key groups of learners. Identify development needs and lead improvement in the teaching and learning of Mathematics. Support the identification and achievement of performance objectives which will enhance the teaching practice of staff in Mathematics. This might also include developing the practice of colleagues and mentoring ITT students. Support the Director of Mathematics with the development of innovative pedagogy that is matched to stages of learning and age related expectations. Ensure continuity and progression in Mathematics and aspects of teaching and learning. Specifically in relation to transition points at KS2 and KS4 (to post 16). Assess and monitor the impact of the planned development on children s progress in relation to key groups of learners. Ensure that cross-curricular links and opportunities are developed using Mathematics to support improvements in pupil outcomes. Manage resources efficiently so that teaching and learning is effectively supported. To support the Director of Mathematics in planning and delivering appropriate Professional Development sessions and INSET that will support staff in raising standards in Mathematics. To provide analysis and evidence to support the school s self evaluation processes that are relevant to Mathematics Support the subject leader in making appropriate arrangements when teachers are absent, liaising with the cover supervisors to ensure appropriate work is set. Contribute to the development of effective subject links with partner primary and secondary schools and other external agencies. - 6 -
Monitor and support the overall progress and development of students as a teacher/ Form Tutor Fulfil any other reasonable duties requested by the Headteacher Person Specification. The person appointed will: Be supportive of the Catholic ethos of the school; Hold a suitable degree and UK recognised teaching qualification; Have a passion for learning and teaching within Mathematics; Demonstrate understanding of current teaching and learning issues; Demonstrate understanding of the wider role that Mathematics has within the curriculum; Have a proven track record of student achievement. Demonstrate understanding of the role Mathematics plays in the delivery of the Mission of a Catholic School Demonstrate a commitment to the wellbeing and safeguarding of young people Demonstrate the ability to enthuse, enable and negotiate with others; Demonstrate the ability to effectively counsel, motivate and discipline adolescents. Have experience of: Successful teaching in Mathematics across the full age, gender and ability range in a secondary school; Possess good skills in: Communication both one to one and with large groups; Organisation; Time management; Interpersonal relationships - 7 -